Foundations & Philanthropy

Some of the well-known foundations supporting education efforts:

Gates Foundation: In the United States, our mission is to dramatically improve education so that all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We seek to ensure that all students graduate from high school ready for college and career and prepared to complete a postsecondary degree or certificate with value in the workplace.

Hewlett Foundation: The Education Program makes grants to improve education by expanding the reach of openly available educational resources, improving California education policies, and by supporting “deeper learning” – a combination of the fundamental knowledge and practical basic skills all students will need to succeed.

Wallace Foundation: Our vision is that children, particularly those living in distressed urban areas, have access to good schools and a variety of enrichment programs in and outside of school that prepare them to be contributing members of their communities. Our mission is to improve learning and enrichment opportunities for children.

Edutopia (The George Lucas Education Foundation): dedicated to improving the K-12 learning process by documenting, disseminating, and advocating for innovative, replicable, and evidence-based strategies that prepare students to thrive in their future education, careers, and adult lives.

Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF): focuses on raising student performance in the critical areas of math and science across all 33 Santa Clara County school districts. Our goal is to be the leading advocate for public education in our region.

SV2: Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund, is a partnership for giving. Donors (called “Partners”) pool annual contributions of $5,000+ each to make a bigger, more meaningful impact than any one person could individually. Currently, SV2 makes grants in three areas: Education, Environmental Sustainability, and International Development.

Annenberg Learner: Our mission is to advance excellent teaching in American schools through the development and distribution of multimedia resources for teaching and learning. We are a division of the Annenberg Foundation, which funds a wide range of programs in education and other areas.

Full Circle Fund: philanthropy organization cultivating the next generation of community leaders and driving lasting social change in the Bay Area and beyond.

Kauffman Foundation: Ewing Kauffman believed that investments in education should lead students on a path to self-sufficiency, preparing them to hold good-paying jobs, raise their families, and become productive citizens. Our youth education programs focus on providing high-quality educational opportunities that prepare urban students for success in college and life beyond; and, advancing student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

General info about federal and state funding streams:

Investing in Innovation Fund (i3): program provides funding to support (1) local educational agencies (LEAs), and (2) nonprofit organizations in partnership with (a) one or more LEAs or (b) a consortium of schools. The purpose of this program is to provide competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement and attainment in order to expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative practices that are demonstrated to have an impact on improving student achievement or student growth, closing achievement gaps, decreasing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, or increasing college enrollment and completion rates.